Somewhere, some very mediocre person is lying on their own yacht. Somewhere, some incredibly talented artist is finishing their shift serving tables at a local restaurant.
Why is there this disparity between talent and success? Answer: Hard work and never giving up.
First off, I want to say that I myself served tables for many years, and it is a great way to make money, but it should never be the end goal. It should be the job you work while you’re hustling towards your goals. There is nothing wrong with an honest day's work, but you shouldn’t spend your entire life buying money with the most important resource: your time.
I spent 10 years working in restaurants, but it was always a means to an end. While others were out drinking away half of their paycheck and using the rest on drugs, I was saving. I was investing and always searching for ways to get ahead. I was working quietly in the shadows towards the goal of escaping that endless grind and chasing my dreams. It worked. If it can work for me, it can work for you.
I did not come from money, to say the least. Both of my parents worked hard to put food on the table and keep the lights on. It wasn’t from any form of privilege that I climbed the ladder of success. It was one simple rule: I never gave up.
I lost friends who lacked the vision to support my dreams. I lost a relationship with someone who told me I should give up creating content and "Get a real job." I sacrificed much on the road to achieving my dreams. To this day, I sacrifice much, but it is all worth it.
When you are on your deathbed, do you want to be saying, "Wow! I really lived such a full and amazing life. I had dreams and I chased after them. I became successful and used that success to bless others. The world is a better place because I was here." or "Wow, I really let fear hold me back. I listened to people who discouraged me because they had small minds and a lack of vision. I let other people, and my own emotions trick me out of living the life I wanted to live."
A lot of people find themselves in that second boat. It is very sad. I want to change your mindset on success. Instead of saying "I can’t do this, or I can’t do that," say "There are literally billionaires in this world. If they can achieve so much, why can’t I?" Not to say you should compare yourself to billionaires, but rather, believe in yourself like they do.
There are no sane billionaires. They had just enough delusion to believe they could do it. That’s what I want from you: a little bit of delusion. Convince yourself that you... yes, you, just could be able to follow your dreams. You will only get one life. There is no do-over. Spend this one life chasing the passions and dreams God has put on your heart!
Even if you think you can't do it, do you doubt the power of GOD!? He is the maker of Heaven and Earth, and He gave you those dreams. They wouldn’t be there if there wasn’t a way to achieve them.
So here is the formula for success I have used in the past. It requires genuine humility. Pray to God and tell Him that you are going to do everything in your power to chase the dreams He has given you. Tell God that you need Him. Ask Him to lead you, guide you, and make ways when you don’t see any. Then, take the first step as an offering to God, even if you have no idea what the second step is, take the step. Figure it out as you go. Show Him that you are serious, and then never give up.
I don’t mean try it out. I don’t mean give it a shot. I mean you put in the best effort you have towards this dream, and when you fail, you try again and again, and you never stop. You chase that dream for the rest of your life. If that is your mindset, I can promise you one of two things will happen:
You will achieve your dream and be SO glad you put in the effort.
You will discover something new along the road that you love more than your original dream, something you didn’t know was even a thing. You will discover your new passion along the way, and then you’ll chase that with everything you have until you achieve that dream.
The road might be long, but the road of not chasing your dreams is even longer. The road of chasing your dream is loaded with adventure and growth. The road of not chasing your dreams is a slow, monotonous grind that kills your soul.
So today, I challenge you to better yourself. I challenge you to believe in yourself. If no one has ever told you they believe in you, then I am telling you that today. The fact that you’ve read this far tells me you are serious about changing your life! I am not here to sell you anything. I am here to give you hope. Have faith in yourself and your God! When you put in your full effort, walk by faith, and ask God for help, then God will come through! You got this! I know you do!
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